Starting explosion-engines.



J. E. .MLIVEM STAR'TING EXPLOSION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1909. l n

' Patented Jan-18,1910,

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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1A A N aE u .,D w J E W W l J. E. MALIVBRT.. STARTING EXPLOSIONENGINBS.-

APPLIGTION FILED MAR. 6, 1909.

UNITED srnrns PATENT orrion.

JULES EUGENE 'MALIvnnn or Panis.' FRANCE, fnss'renonor BOUSQUET, orrAnIs, FRANCE.

onsintr 'ro LoU'Is STARTING EXPLOSION-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratenteuaan. 1s', 1 910.

, Application flea March e, iene. serial No. 481,510.

To'aZl @hm-ritt may concer/n.:l Be it known that I,JULns EUo-Nn MALI-VERT, ya citizen of the4 French Republic, re-

siding at`32 Rue Pergolse, Paris, France, have invented certain new anduseful'Improvements in Starting vExplosion-Engines, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and

exact description.

This invention relates to amethod of automatically startingvmul'ticylinder explosion engines by means of compressed air. y Thismethod which effects the starting of the engine by the admission to thecylinder of a charge of compressedair upon .the stroke in admittingcompressed air from 'a receiver,

the operation of these diaphragm valves at' the correct moment for eachcylinder being determined by a distributer in constant relation lwiththe engine shaft, normally maintainingupon the ydiaphragme a pressure,'ofcompressed air which balances the `dia phragm` and keeps the yvalveclosed, and releasing this balance pressure when compressed airis to beadmitted to the cylinder. v

The invention is hereafter described with reference to the anx'lex'ed'drawings,.. in which .Figure l' represents in section A,the diaphragmvalve provided for each cylinder,l which under the control of thedistributer effects the admission of compressed air thereto at thecorrect moment. Fig.l 2 shows separately a metallic diaphragm. Figs. 3and et represent in longitudinal and trans-i verse section thedistributerwhich controls the operation of the diaphragm valves. Fig. 5representsdiagrammatically the applica-v tion of the invention to a fourcylinder en gine. Fig. 6 shows the non-return Valve inserted 1n' thea1r-passage from each dla'- phragni valve to the corresponding cylinder.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 represent a valve' arrangement for starting by means ofthe initialad mission of compressed air to the starting devices; thisvalve is controlled from a dis- Y tance by means of compressed air byasmall device consisting of a miniature distributorv or controller. Fig.10 represents another type of starting Valve with compressedy aircontrol and screwcut out. Fig. -ll represents a modified arrangement ofcontroller for the starting valve. represents l lanother 4form of doublestarting valve.

f The `diaphragm valve 'provided for each` cylinder I'and controllingthe admission of; zompressed airythereto is represented.inf ug-1; t. isametal bod 'having two aimons, one

al for -the entry o compressed 'air from4 a receiver, the other enginecylinder.

A valve b obstructing the passage'v between a and a islixed to jaflexible membran` jor diaphragm. B; of rubber, undulated sheet metal'(Fig. 2)' or other suitable material; This membrane is l'supported,betweenfth'e body A and a 'cap a3 screwed thereon and a for its exit Atowardthe.. i

carrying the union Aa2 4connected -to the dis# tributer which maintainsor releases a. pressure of eomoressedairupon the face of the .membrane Bon the side Vof the union chf A spring Z'"V pressesfuponthe membrane tovhold they valve uponits'seat. The working/ of this deyiceis,as".follows: lIt compressed air lis 'admitted atv a, iti tendst'o raise Ithe valveb,dlectingthemembrane B and the 'se'A l `weaker `slliring Z2',.and it escapes atg af. But if air at"'the` same pressurejs admitted t.through the .unionethe membrane Byis subjected on one side `tothefacti'ony of the' springt", and the compressedair entering at ,esi

a2. over its whole upper surface,'and on the other side to the airentering at a and acting. upon lthe valve b1 of which the area is lessthan that of the membrane. The latter remains therefore intheposition'of closure "19e 40t` the valve b, even vif leakage takes placeand air passingtaround theyalveacts'upon the lower face of themembraneso asv to bal-- ance the pressure upon theother face, for

the spring b however' weakA supplies the re- 95 quired difference toinsure closing.

vIt will beissen that to cause the closing or opening of the valve b itsulices to admit at, the union a2 air ofthe same pressure as thatadmitted at. a or to produce affall of pres- ,100' `sure upon thesurface ofthe membrane on4 the side of this union a2, which latterlezliect Y is obtained by placing it in [communication with theatmosphere. l

Since the admission of compressed air v.for 105 starting amulti-cylinder engine' operating upon a` four-stroke cycle takes placeonly upon the third stroke and duringA a comparatively small part ofstroke, it,y suffices for obtaining this admission` of air to 1.10

l). The unions a are connected to a common compressed-air pipe comingfrom a recelver, and the unions a2 to a suitable distributer such asthat hereafter described;v

the unions a lead to the 4respective cylinders through non-returnvalves'. The distributer connected to the unions a2 1o isintended-toplace each of the diaphragm valves at the' desired moment incommunication at their face o n this side eitherwith the source of.Acor'npressed-'air so as to maintain the valve b closed, so cutting offthe supply of compressed'air to the cylinder, or with the vatmosphericpressure to allow the raising of .the valve by-the lcompressed air-whichpasses from a to 4a".and so tothe correspondlng cylinder. Thisdistributer, ofwhich the yconstruction is hereafter described', and vwhlch moreover can be made in accordance with ,various modifications,l ageneral Way with the .known .methods of starting, present system the-afteyset forth. `Figs. Sand 4 represent such a distributer; itcomprises a rotary yalve drivenby the en- 'gine so that thecommunicatioiiof the diaphragm'valves withthe atmosphere at their f'faces on the side a? takes placev atthecorrect moment for eachcylinderlso as tocause the admission of compressed ail-thereto.

at 1, 2, 3,4 are indicated th 3,5 leadto the unions a2 of .the'lfourdiaphragmdistributers 'of but it has in the particular fr lnction here-Avalvesfrom 4 the four cylinders; F i's-the ,compressed air supply pipe;C indicatesthe ..rotary `valve of Whiph. the spindleis geared 4-`positively tothe engine by a train of wheel-s 4,0 such as C', forexample to one of the valvev shafts ofthe latter, so as to revolve; atthe desired speed ratio.' Thisfvalve comprises two channels as shown soas. to placesuccessively each ofgthepi'pes' 1,2, 3,4 incommunicationWiththe atmosphere by the chan- `nella while the three others are ncommunication withy the source of compressedA air through the groovesc.i The general yapplication 'to thejen ine is efected asshownjdiagrammatically 1n Fig; 5. D D21)3 Dt-'are the four cylinders ofthe engine.v Each `of them is provided with the diaphragm-valve devicethrou h'which `it receives com ressed air. i5 be fixed'direct y uponthecylinder or for facility in erection the fourdevices can beroupedlgtwofand t-wo, as 'shown on the *i raWing,A\ -A2ronone'side'andA.3 A* on v the; other; 2li d2 5t-d4 are' the four-pipes#B9-: connecting the cylinders `tothe unions a -of thief-fourdiaphragm-valves, through a non- .shovvs-in section and by Way ofexample the is analogous in Thisv evice can rotary distributer connectedon one side by four pipes c c2 c3 c4 to the unions a2 of the fourdiaphragm-valves A A2 A3 A, and on the other side by a ipe F to thesource of compressed air; the atter represented by the reservoir Gr, isconnected by the pipe H to the unions a, of the diaphragm-valves A A2 A?A4.V Upon the pipe H is placedan ordinary stop-cock Rand a secondstop-cock or valve I which can be operated directly by s hand by thelever z' or by a remote-control device hereafter described.-

, The operation is as. follo'wsz-For any stopping position of theengine,the distributer C, which has been stated to be' in positive relationWithfthe engine shaft, occupies a osition in which three of thediaphragmva ves A A2 A3 A4 are through their 'unions a2 incon'miunication with three of the pipesl cc2 c3 cfwof the distributer C,the fourth being in communication Vwith the atmosphere. The cylindercorresponding lto this last .diaphragm-valve will .'reeive compressedair-and initiate the .starting of the engine. Then the valve or cock Iis opened for this purpose, compressed air from the reservoir G assesthrough the pipe F to the distributer and through the pipe-H to thedevices A A2 A? A4. -Through the distributer C the compressed air passesalongv three of the tubes c c2 c c* to the unions a2 of lthe threediaphragm-valves which are not 1n communication with the atmosphere andfe pipeswhich acting upon thel faces of their membranes B onthe s1de ofthe unionggg2 maintain their valves `b closed. As regards the fourthdiaphragm valve, its membrane B is at its face on the side of the uniona2 placed at'atmospheric pressure; the. air arriving at a and actingupon its valve b, z'ge, its other face,

'opens the latter and passes at q. tothe cylinder, which by reason ofthe timing of the distributer is u on the -third or explosion stroke;the engine therefore commences to revolveand air is suppliedsuccessively .to thLe four cylinders bythe action ofthe distributer. Cwhich places the four diaphragmfvalves -in turn .'at atmosphericpressure on the' side of'their unions a2. and so allows the passage ofcompressed hir from the union a to the unionjz and to the correspondingcylinder.

In certain applications, it may bc advisable, if the cock or valve Imust be placed in position inaccessible directly or by a mechanicaltransmission, to controlgthis valve froma distance, likewise by means ofcompressed air. i

Fig. 7 represents an arrangement devised for this purpose. It consistsof a valve, con` trolled by a cock .in amanner similar to thediaphragm-valve shown in Fig. 1. The aparatus `comprises a body J havinga union y for th main air suppl from the reservoir and a un on j towhich 1s connected the pipe H by" which the 'air passes to. all theAparts A A2 AiAt; the air flows from the union 7' to the union j'through the valve 7u attached I to the membrane l. The latter issubjected upon the valve side tothe pressure of the compressed air andto a spring on the other face it can be subjected either to the pressureof the compressed air or to the atcomprises' a body O, a valve T with astem having on one side a on "the othera threade portion t screwingyinto thestem u of the operating 4handle U';

t? isa recoil spring. `The stem 'u comprises a collar il. f Admissionofair takesplace at 'g/ and outlet yat/f. The valve I cannot turnmospheric pressure by means Icfa small distributer L whichconstltutes'the controller,i

lthere is no pressureon the. other face of the membrane. But il byIoperating the valve Z' of the small distributer L connected at Z tothesource .of compressed air and at m to the pipeA M, ai-r at the samepressure -is admitted upon the upper` face of the membrane K, theequilibrium is broken, the valve 7c opens and the main air tlowsfrom jto j toward thediaphragm valves A A? A3 A'i of the cylinders, the valve/c remaining open so long as the air pressure is maintained by the-smalldistributor L. lVhen the latter is operated to stop this admission andthe said face of the membrane K is returned to the atmos pliericpressure by the Vchannel Z2, of the small distributer, the compressedair from j pressing beneath the membrane K will automatica'lly. reclosethe valve 7s. y

Fig. l shows a modification of the valve represented in Fig. 7 and ofwhich the/funcg tion is similar to that'described, butit comprises inaddition a screwr N which allowsv of pressing the valve 7c tightlyagainst *itsA seat. when the.apparatus is not `:to be ernployed. Thesepneumatic controls for th e"` main inlet valve allow of having operatingdevices of very small size -and requiring less f'xertion from theoperation.

Fig. ll. shows a modication of the small i distributer of Fig.v8,arranged with liftvalves instead of a rotary valve. This kapparatuscomprises a body O, a valve P, a spring p. and an operating handle Q,carrying a valve y; a rubber Washer Q forms a packing. Compressed airtaken from the main pipe arrives at Z; Ait flows to .monly when thehandle Q is pushed. The valve g resting then upon its seat, raises thevalve I and compressed air passes outl atm toward the valve shown inFig. 7 or 10, a

small channel g2 placing the base ofthe valve g in communication withthe 'atmosf phere.

F ig. 1:2 shows a cock combi-ning in one the two valves I and Rindicated in Fig. 5, that is the. valve or cock which is operateddirectly or indirectly to obtain the start, and

the auxiliary stop-cock. This apparatus but onlyinove longitudinallyYbeing guided by. the sliding square; if the .hand-wheell U is turned toscrew the stem u until the collar u contacts with the body, the valve.Tis pressed and lockedl upon its seat, and the device thus serves as astop-coclrlike the cock Rin Fig.

o. To causethis device to act as -a ls tartin valve like the cock I, thewheel U isturnel to unscrew and free the collar u; it then suiiicestokpress upon the wheel U as on a button to release the valVeT from itsseat and cause the passage of compressed air."

The invention can of coursebe carried out with all modificationsconsonantfWith-the general arrangements set forthU and is not limited tothe constructional details represented.. A

The invention has been described vin its application lto afour-cylinderengine, but. can of course be applied to an engine of a greater numberof cylinders, the-distributer being arranged in a corresponding manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as such and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is :h-.

1. The combination with an explosmn en gine `having'a'plurality ofcylinders, of a plurality of sources of Huid under pressure, ay rvalve.'casing for each cylinder and communicating ."therewith fandcommunicating Withv both -of said sources, a Valve for closing thecommunication between one of said sourcesandthe cylinder, a diaphragm inthe 'casing 'for controlling the val-ve and .-aryranged between theportleading to the other source and the port leading to the cylinder,one face 'of the'diaphragm being subjectto the pressure from the othersource andthe other to the pressure ofjthe cylinder, anda rotating valvedrivenfby the engine for successively interrupting the communicationbetween the said other source and the valve casingls: y

2. The combination with an explosion engine having a pluralityofcylinders, of a 'plurality of sources of fluid under pressure,

a valve casing for each cylinder and communlda'ting therewith andcommunicating with -both of said sources, a valve for closing thecommunication between one of said sources and the cylinder, a diaphragmin thecasing for controlling the'` valve and arranged between the portleading to the other source and the port leading to the cylinder, oneface-ofthe diaphra In being subject to the pressurefrom the sald othersource and the'other to the pressure of the cylinder," and guidingsquaret and ros ' means operated bythe ,engine'for'successively interruptingthe? communicationl bef.

tween said othersourc'eand the valve cas-.i

3. The combinationwith an explosion engine havin aplurality'of.-cylinders, of a.

plurality o` sources of fluid under pressure, a valve' casing for4eachjcyllnder and com- Y municatng .therewith 4and communicating withboth vof said sources, a valve for c1o s. ing-the communication betweenone of said sources land the cylinder, adiaphragm in the vcasing forcontrolling thel valve and ar# rangedbetween the port leading to th'ther'source and the port leading to the cylinder, one face ofthe diaphragmbeing subject to the pressure from said other s ource and the other tothe pressure of the cylinder, a rotat- 1 ing valve driven by the enginefor f succescasings, and .a manually operated valve for. 'controllingthe communicationbetween the said'othersource'and the rotating valve.

slvelyy interrupting the communication between\ the said other sourceand the valve- 4;. The combination-withv anexplosion engin-e. .having aplurality of cylinders, .of a

v plurality of sources of' fluid under pressure,

a valve casing for eachjc linder and communicating therewith ancommunicating with both of said. sources, a valve for closin thecommunication. between one. of sai sources and thecylinder, a diaphragmin the casing. for .controlling the valve -and. ar-

l 4 ranged'between the port'leading to the other source andthe port`leading to the cylinder, one facerof the diaphragm being subject to thepressure from `the said other source and "the said valve for controlling4gine having a plurality lof cylinders, of' a plurality of sources offluid under pressure,

- a valve casin for eachcylinder and 'com- 'munlcatlng tierewi'th andcommunicatlng with both of said sources, a valve for closing thecommunication between one of sai sources andthe cylinder, a diaphragm'in the casing for `controlling the valve and arranged between the portleading to the other source and the port leading to the cylinder, oneface of the diaphragm being subject to the pressure from the said othersource and the other to the pressure of the cylinder, a rotating valvedrlven by the engine for successively interruptin lthe com.-

munication between the said ot er source and the valve casing, a valvecontrolling the communication between the said other source and therotating valve, means remote from thesame and meansfor cutting out thesai means.

In testimony whereof I have signed niy I name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' JULES. EUGNE MALIVERT. YWitnesses: A

' BENJAMIN' BLOCHE ELLWooD AUSTIN ELDEN.

